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Namibia: From the Sidelines - Brave Warriors Need to Attack
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
16 May 2008
Posted to the web 16 May 2008
Corry Ihuhua
Windhoek
BRAVE Warriors coach Arie Schans and his charges will regret it it if they do not go for an all-out attack when the national team meets Zimbabwe's Warriors at the Independence Stadium tomorrow.
Despite managing an away draw in the first leg in Harare a fortnight ago, it will be naïve for the Namibians to simply play a defensive game.
In fact, Zimbabwe will on their part force the Namibians into a defensive mode and if this happens, it will be the end of the locals in the competition that is dubbed as the African Nations Championships.
The visitors were furious with themselves after the draw in Harare and will hope to get the away goal which will move them further into the qualifiers.
This means that Zimbabwe will with no doubt attack from the onset to score early goals in the first half and to control the match in the second stanza.
If this happens, the local players and coach will kick themselves for being forced into a situation they would want to avoid in front of a home crowd.
Playing at home should be motivation enough for all the players to have an attacking mindset, but it also means that there should be no room for error at the back.
Namibian strikers will have no excuse for not hitting the net, provided they get good support especially from the wings.
With Zimbabwe also being in the same qualifying group with Namibia for the 2010 World Cup, both countries have a point to prove to each other.
First the draw, but this time we need goals.
Draws in goals are good, but they should be plenty to ignite excitement among the spectators as they celebrate.
Spectators go to stadiums to see goals and Namibia will have no choice but to win this match.
The Brave Warriors Supporters' Club will as usual mobilise the fans to rally behind the team and if all are supportive, it will be good motivation for the players.
Also, the stadium should be packed to the brim because it provides for a festive atmosphere, while it will also be important for tight security.
In the past, innocent fans were subjected to tear-gas by the Police mainly because of stampedes at the gates, but in an international match like this, fans must arrive early to avoid such incidents.
The security aspect is crucial and fans are also expected to behave accordingly.
Fans of course get upset with the team and sometimes throw missiles onto the field, but that does not solve anything.
The reason why I am mentioning this is for the Warriors to play their hearts out and make the fans proud of the team.
The local players have the right to cause all kinds of trouble for the visitors on the field of play as most fans will be deeply disappointed to see them going down at home.
Losing at home has never been good, and for Schans, it will be a test to employ the right players who can do the job.
Most of the players in the side have a lot of experience and they need to use that to their advantage to win the match.
There will be no room for excuses if Namibia goes down on home soil, because this match will to a certain extent also determine what our potential is of doing well in the World Cup qualifiers.
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So, Brave Warriors, go out there and show your worth!
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| Copyright © 2008 The Namibian. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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